Vibration analysis of the civic tower in Rieti

In the last decades the definition of a suitable monitoring system for identifying the dynamic behavior of structures has had a central position in the civil engineering research area. The vibration analysis leads to the recognition of the reference state of structures which is essential to determine the integrity level when extreme events occur, such as earthquakes. The latest seismic events occurred in the world have shown the essential role of the new passive seismic techniques which aim to protect structures and the importance of supervising the building construction operations and the adopted improvement measures. In this work the structural monitoring of the civic tower located in Rieti is presented. In the tower a non-conventional TMD has been installed via an inter-story isolation system at the top floor by means of High Damping Rubber Bearings (HDRB). The general goal is to define a monitoring system suitable with this experimental case through the vibration analysis. Several aspects will be taken into account: the choice of sensors setup, the measured quantities and the extraction of structural information. Firstly this will allow to define the structure’s reference state featured by frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes. Moreover the effective design of the monitoring system would lead to the characterization of the dynamic behavior of the structure equipped with a passive vibration control system. Different tests have been carried forward: ambient vibration test (AVT), forced vibration test (FVT) with vibrodyne and seismic test (ST). The AVT and the FVT enable to define the monitoring system and check the reliability of the adopted identification tools, among which an Output Only algorithm stands out: the Observer Kalman Filter System Id. On the other hand the ST will point out some preliminary information about the dynamic behaviour of the structure equipped with a non conventional Tuned Mass Damper referring it to higher levels of vibrations

Multidrug resistant Enterococcus faecium isolate from cholangitis/cholecystitis in a dog

Mucocele and cholecystitis were diagnosed in a 10 year-old Shetland-sheepdog presenting aspecific clinical signs. Blood examinations and ultrasonography investigation were performed before to surgical approach, which allowed to collect biopsies and samples for bacteriological analyses. In addition, the patient was subjected to cholecystectomy. A multidrug resistant Enterococcus faecium was isolated from the gallbladder specimens. On the basis of antimicrobial susceptibility test, nitrofurantoin was used. The correct bacteriological diagnosis is necessary to set up effective therapy, influencing the patient's prognosis and improving the recovery time

RSPO1-mutated keratinocytes from palmoplantar keratoderma display impaired differentiation, alteration of cell–cell adhesion, EMT-like phenotype and invasiveness properties: implications for squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility in patients with 46XX disorder of sexual development

Abstract Background Secreted R-spondin (RSPO) proteins play a key role in reproductive organ development, epithelial stem cell renewal and cancer induction by reinforcing canonical Wnt signaling. We have previously reported that palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK), predisposition to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) development and sex reversal segregate as autosomal recessive trait in patients carrying RSPO1-mutations. Although our previous findings suggested that RSPO1 secreted from fibroblasts regulates keratinocyte growth or differentiation, the role of this protein in the epidermis remains largely unexplored. Our study was aimed at expanding the phenotypic, molecular and functional characterization of RSPO1-mutated skin and keratinocytes. Results Cultured primary keratinocytes from PPK skin of a RSPO1-mutated XX-sex reversed patient displayed highly impaired differentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype. Interestingly, RSPO1-mutated PPK skin expressed markers of increased proliferation, dedifferentiation and altered cell–cell adhesion. Furthermore, all these signs were more evident in SCC specimens of the patient. Cultured PPK patient’s keratinocytes exhibited increased expression of cell‒matrix adhesion proteins and extracellular matrix remodeling enzymes. Moreover, they showed invasiveness properties in an organotypic skin model in presence of PPK fibroblasts, which behave like cancer-associated fibroblasts. However, the co-culture with normal fibroblasts or treatment with the recombinant RSPO1 protein did not revert or reduce the EMT-like phenotype and invasion capability of PPK keratinocytes. Notably, RSPO1-mutated PPK fibroblasts induced a hyperproliferative and dedifferentiated phenotype of age-matched normal control plantar keratinocytes. Wnt signaling has a key role in both PPK promotion and SCC development. Accordingly, Wnt mediators were differentially expressed in both PPK keratinocytes and skin specimens of RSPO1-mutated patient compared to control. Conclusions Altogether our data indicate that the absence of RSPO1 in patients with 46XX disorder of sexual development affects the skin microenvironment and epidermal integrity, thus contributing to the risk of SCC tumorigenesis in palmoplantar regions exposed to major frictional stresses

A Specific Mutational Signature Associated with DNA 8-Oxoguanine Persistence in MUTYH-defective Colorectal Cancer

8-Oxoguanine, a common mutagenic DNA lesion, generates G:C>T:A transversions via mispairing with adenine during DNA replication. When operating normally, the MUTYH DNA glycosylase prevents 8-oxoguanine-related mutagenesis by excising the incorporated adenine. Biallelic MUTYH mutations impair this enzymatic function and are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) syndrome. Here, we perform whole-exome sequencing that reveals a modest mutator phenotype in MAP CRCs compared to sporadic CRC stem cell lines or bulk tumours. The excess G:C>T:A transversion mutations in MAP CRCs exhibits a novel mutational signature, termed Signature 36, with a strong sequence dependence. The MUTYH mutational signature reflecting persistent 8-oxoG:A mismatches occurs frequently in the APC, KRAS, PIK3CA, FAT4, TP53, FAT1, AMER1, KDM6A, SMAD4 and SMAD2 genes that are associated with CRC. The occurrence of Signature 36 in other types of human cancer indicates that DNA 8-oxoguanine-relatedmutations might contribute to the development of cancer in other organs. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V

Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils Evaluated In Vitro against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

The spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has caused a reduction in antibiotic effectiveness and an increase in mortality rates. Essential oils (EOs), known for their therapeutic efficacy, can be configured as novel broad-spectrum biocides. Accordingly, the bacteriostatic–bactericidal activity of Citrus Lemon (LEO), Pinus Sylvestris (PEO), Foeniculum Vulgaris (FEO), Ocimum Basilicum (BEO), Melissa Officinalis (MEO), Thymus Vulgaris (TEO), and Zingiber Officinalis Rosc. (GEO), at concentrations ranging from 1.25 to 40% (v/v), were tested in vitro against different E. coli and S. aureus strains using minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The chemical compositions of the EOs were analyzed using GC/MS. The major components of all seven tested oils were limonene, α-pinene, anethole, estragole, citral, thymol, and zingiberene, respectively. We found that the bacteriostatic–bactericidal activity of the EOs was related to their chemotypes and concentrations, as well as the strain of the bacteria. A dose–effect correlation was found when testing GEO against S. aureus strains, whilst FEO was found to have no activity regardless of concentration. PEO, MEO, and BEO were found to have bactericidal effect with a MIC and MBC of 1.25% (v/v) against S. aureus strains, and LEO was found to have values of 1.25% (v/v) and 5% (v/v) against ATCC and clinical isolate, respectively. Interestingly, the antimicrobial activity of TEO was not related to oil concentration and the complete inhibition of growth across all E. coli and S. aureus was observed. Although preliminary, our data demonstrate the efficacy of EOs and pave the way for further investigations on their potential synergistic use with traditional drugs in the human and veterinary fields

Orbital Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Purpose: Desmoid-type fibromatosis is a benign fibrous neoplasia originating from connective tissue, fascial planes, and musculoaponeurotic structures of the muscles. Currently, there is no evidence-based treatment approach available for desmoid fibromatosis. In this article, a case of a patient in the pediatric age affected by desmoid fibromatosis localized in the orbit is presented. The aim of the article is to describe this unusual and rare location for the desmoid fibromatosis and outline the principle phases in the decision-making process and the therapeutic alternatives for a patient affected by desmoid fibromatosis. Methods: The protocol of this review included study objectives, search strategy, and selection criteria. The primary end point of this study was to analyze the head and neck desmoid fibromatosis. The secondary end point was to identify the available therapies and assess their specific indications. Results: The mean age of patients was 18.9 years ranging from 0 to 66, and 52% were female. A bimodal age distribution was observed, and two age peaks were identified: 0-14 years (57%) and 28-42 years (18%). The most common involved areas were the mandible (25%) followed by the neck (21%). In 86% of the cases, the treatment was the surgical resection of the disease, and only in 5% of the cases, the surgical resection was followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusion: The orbital location is extremely rare, especially in the pediatric population. The management of desmoid fibromatosis is based on the function preservation and the maintenance of a good quality of life, but in case of symptomatic patients or aggressive course of the disease or risk of functional damages, the surgical approach may be considered. Therapeutic alternatives to surgical resection are radiotherapy and systemic therapy

Mutation analysis of the NSD1 gene in a group of 59 patients with congenital overgrowth

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